Contractors’ Body Gheraoes Mines Minister’s House To Press Demands

Bhubaneswar: Members of the All Odisha Contractors’ Association gheraoed the official residence of Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick here, on Monday, seeking immediate fulfilment of their 27-point charter of demands.

“We strongly condemn the state government’s practice of showing undue favour towards the non-Odia contractors and neglecting the Odia contractors. It is a matter of regret that more than 90 per cent of the construction work being carried out by the government is being allotted to the non-Odia contractors. The local contractors are left with contracts worth Rs 500 crore while a lion’s share of it is being given to the non-Odias,” said association president Prabhat Das.

The association demands that the government ensure that non-Odia contractors are not allowed to take part in tenders up to Rs 200 crore, Das added.

The minister termed the protest unconstitutional and illegal adding that the demonstration was staged without his knowledge.  ‘’The association had earlier apprised me about the matter and I had assured them that I would resolve the same after holding discussions with the finance minister and secretary,’’ Mallick informed.